Why is Mumbai's air quality poor?

Mumbai's air quality is poor due to early La Nina conditions slowing wind speeds, trapping pollutants, and increased emissions from construction and other sources.

What is GRAP 4 for Mumbai?

GRAP 4 in Mumbai is an action plan to halt construction and pollution source operations when air quality remains poor for two consecutive days.

How does La Nina affect Mumbai's air?

La Nina slows wind speeds, preventing pollutants from dispersing quickly and causing them to linger in the air, especially in coastal cities like Mumbai.

Home / Environment / Mumbai Chokes: Smog Blankets City, AQI Hits Poor Zone

Mumbai Chokes: Smog Blankets City, AQI Hits Poor Zone

24 Nov

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Summary

Mumbai's air quality index reached 176, with ozone as the main pollutant.
Construction sites and concrete plants face immediate shutdown under GRAP 4.
Early La Nina conditions are slowing winds, trapping pollutants over the city.

Mumbai Chokes: Smog Blankets City, AQI Hits Poor Zone

Mumbai woke to a thick haze on Sunday as its air quality declined sharply, with the AQI reaching 176, primarily due to ozone. Several stations reported AQI levels exceeding 200, prompting authorities to consider implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 4. This plan mandates the cessation of all construction, ready-mix concrete plant operations, and other pollution sources until air quality improves.

The civic body has already issued stop-work notices to 59 construction sites and ready-mix concrete plants, emphasizing the need for adherence to comprehensive air pollution guidelines. These include measures like barricading sites, covering them with green cloth, and scientific debris storage. The city's air quality has deteriorated since early November, following the subsidence of monsoon rains.